Heather Overbeck, Director 

Heather began her dance training at the age of eight and has studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Modern dance.

She has received a BFA Degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Texas at Austin where she was a scholarship student.  While in college, Heather student taught at Ballet Austin. Training at summer intensives includes: Ballet Austin, American Ballet Theatre, and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project. Heather continues her dance education at The Lou Conte Studio, home to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Her choreography has been performed at the VORTEX Repertory Company Theatre, Hyde Park Theatre, and the B. Iden Payne Theatre in Austin, TX as well as Act One Studios and The Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago. She attended the Craft of Choreography Workshop on full scholarship. Heather has performed leading roles in “The Nutcracker”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella”.  She was a member of UT’s Dance Repertory Theatre before moving to Chicago in 2002.  Heather is also a former member of Zephyr Dance, a contemporary company in Chicago. She is the director of Aster Brio Dance Company.

Heather has been teaching for over 10 years. Her teaching experience includes a number of private dance studios, the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, TX, The University of TX, Wilbur Wright College, and Act One Studios in Chicago. She has taught ages 2 through adult ranging in levels from beginning to professional. She lives in Oak Park. 

Shannon Johnson, Instructor

Shannon Johnson was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She began her professional dance training at Howard University, and recently received a BFA in Dance.  While at Howard, she received summer internships at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

She is currently on Scholarship at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s training program, the Lou Conte Dance Studio.  Shannon would like to thank God for the opportunities to pursue her dream, as well as her parents, friends, and mentors for their continued support.

Kaitlan Short, Instructor

Kaitlan started on her pathway to dance with gymnastics at the age of three.  After having danced and competed with Shelly Tully’s Irish Step Dancers for seven years, Kaitlan began her Ballet, Modern, and Choreography training in high school.  She danced with the Riverside Brookfield Orchesis Dance Company and was a member and Captain of the Riverside Brookfield Competitive Poms Team.

She is currently involved in the United Moravian Society’s Dance Team, and is a member of the Chicago Storm Chasers.  In addition to teaching Hip Hop at Principle Dance, Kaitlan teaches gymnastics at Sokol Taber in Berwyn.  Kaitlan continues her dance training at the Lou Conte Dance studio in Chicago and is currently working towards her BFA Degree in Dance at Columbia College in Chicago.

Andrea Cerniglia, Instructor

Originally from Andover, Massachusetts, Andrea received a Bachelor in Fine Arts in dance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002.

She will be embarking on her fourth season with the Zephyr Dance Ensemble, a nationally touring company, under the direction of Michelle Kranicke and Emily Stein. Andrea also dances for Cindy Brandle Dance Company and Lavender Cabaret.

In addition to teaching at Fisher Dance Center, she teaches within community outreach programs at the Chicago Holstein Park District facility.

Andrea has also had the pleasure of being a part of the Arts at the Center, a program that unites dance and CPS classroom curriculum. She has been a part of arts integrated residencies within elementary grades up through the college level. As well as performing locally at such venues as the Harold Washington Library Theater, Links Hall, The Anthenaeum Theater, and the Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts, she has also performed in New York City at Dance Space Studio, the Cunningham Studio Theater, and Mulberry Street Theater.

Shari Klyber, Instructor

Shari's introduction to dance began at the age of nine, with lessons in gymnastics and dance.  Over the years, she performed in numerous musical dance productions with community school and church groups in Southern California.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and a Master's degree in Teaching, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She brings 10 years experience as an educator and a love of the arts to Principle Dance, where she has assisted with classes in the Early Development Program.  Shari has lived in Riverside since 2001.